Device and method for portioning a dough mass

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for portioning a dough mass, comprising a receiving chamber for holding said dough mass comprising a discharge opening, a pair of opposing rotary cutters provided at the discharge opening and arranged for rotation in mutually opposite directions, wherein each cutter comprises at least one blade rotatable around a rotary axis, which blade cooperates with the blade of the other cutter for cutting the dough mass into separate portions, and a release agent delivery system for applying a release agent onto the blades of the rotary cutters, wherein the release agent delivery system is configured for applying the release agent on opposing sides of each of the blades. The invention further relates to a release agent delivery system for use in such a device and a method for portioning a dough mass using such a device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of European Patent Application No.18187057, entitled “DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PORTIONING A DOUGH MASS,”filed on Aug. 2, 2018 in the European Patent Office, and hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a device for portioning a dough mass. Theinvention further relates to a release agent delivery system for use insuch a device and a method for portioning a dough mass using such adevice.

BACKGROUND

Devices for portioning a dough mass, also commonly referred to as“chunkers”, are well-known within the dough processing industry. Thesedevices are often used at an early stage of a dough processing line,where a large dough mass typically originating from a dough mixer is viafunnel led through a cutting unit for subdividing dough into smallerpieces. These smaller pieces of dough may then be transported by aconveyor to a next processing station where they are processed further.

In use, the presently known dough portioning devices however face someproblems related to the fact that the dough mass to be portioned is softand soggy, and therefore very adhesive. Because of this composition ofthe dough, the dough tends to adhere to both the funnel walls and theblades of the cutting unit, leaving behind residual dough that pollutesthe funnel wall and blade surfaces. In addition to the resultingpollution that requires more frequent cleaning intervals and thus moredowntime, the adhesiveness of the dough impedes a smooth passage ofdough through the chunker. Namely, due to the friction between thefunnel walls and the dough mass, the dough frequently gets stuck insidethe funnel as it cannot be carried downwards under the influence ofgravitational force. In addition, dough frequently remains adhered tothe blades of the cutting unit, preventing a clean separation of thedough piece from the blades after being sectioned from the dough mass.This could lead to irregularities in the supply of dough pieces to anunderlying conveyor and may result in variations in weight of theseparated dough pieces.

Existing solutions to the above-mentioned problems related to theadhesive nature of the dough involve the use of conveyors inside thefunnel that actively guide the dough mass downwards toward the cuttingunit. These conveyors are however also prone to pollution and aremoreover hard to clean. In addition, due to friction between the doughmass and the conveyor surface, the dough mass is subjected to sheerstresses, negatively influencing the dough characteristics. As anotherway of dealing with the adhesive nature of the dough, oil may bedeposited along the funnel walls, which oil may then drip down onto thecutting unit. Due to the oil, the friction between the dough mass andthe device surfaces is effectively decreased. It is however found thatthese solutions require the use of considerable amounts of oil whichthen unwantedly influence the consistency of the dough. Moreover, thelarge amounts of oil constitute an additional source of pollution forthe chunker and possibly any devices in its close proximity and/orpositioned downstream from the chunker.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for asolution of at least some of the above-mentioned problems related to theadherence of dough to the device surfaces and/or offer an alternative toexisting solutions, therewith improving the dough mass portioningprocess.

The invention provides for this purpose a device for portioning a doughmass. The device according to the present invention comprises areceiving chamber for holding said dough mass comprising a dischargeopening, a pair of opposing rotary cutters provided at the dischargeopening and arranged for rotation in mutually opposite directions,wherein each cutter comprises at least one blade rotatable around arotary axis, which blade cooperates with the blade of the other cutterfor cutting the dough mass into separate portions, and a release agentdelivery system for applying a release agent onto the blades of therotary cutters, wherein the release agent delivery system is configuredfor applying the release agent on opposing sides of each of the blades.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be elucidated further on the basis of thefollowing non-limitative Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view on a device for portioning a doughmass according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view on the bottom of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a release agent deliverysystem according to the invention and its position relative to a rotarycutter and belt conveyor as comprised in a device for portioning a doughmass according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Figures represent specific exemplary embodiments of the inventionand should not be considered limiting the invention in any way or form.Throughout the description and the Figures, corresponding referencenumerals are used for corresponding elements.

The receiving chamber may commonly be formed by a funnel, a hopper or abin and often comprises an inlet opening opposite to the dischargeopening through which dough can be supplied to the receiving chamber.The receiving chamber may moreover narrow in a direction from the inletopening to the discharge opening to let the dough converge towards thedischarge opening. The rotary cutters may extend parallel to theirrotary axis along substantially entire length of the discharge opening,thereby forcing the dough to leave the receiving chamber via the rotarycutters only. The rotary cutters may commonly each comprise multipleblades. Moreover, the blades of each cutter typically rotate around thesame axis of rotation, wherein the axes of rotation of both rotarycutters are positioned at a fixed mutual distance. This results in amovement of the blades of the opposing rotary cutters upon rotation ofthe cutters wherein the blades alternately move towards and away fromeach other. In a position of the cutters wherein the blades are closesttowards each other, the blades just touch each other, thereby realizinga clean separation of any dough located between the blades at thatmoment.

The release agent delivery system is responsible for applying a releaseagent on opposing sides of each of the blades. This release agent maycommonly comprise an edible oil, such as a vegetable oil. Theapplication of the release agent to both sides of the blades is found tobenefit a clean cut of the dough by the blades as well as a smooth andinstant separation of the cut dough piece from the blades. Moreover, thebuildup of pollution on the blades due to residual dough adhering to theblades is significantly reduced. With the application of the releaseagent to both sides of the blades, it is commonly ensured that at leastthe blade tips are supplied with a layer of release agent as the tipsurfaces directly interact with the dough and are responsible for thecutting action. In a preferred embodiment of the device, the releaseagent delivery system is configured for applying the release agent onopposing sides of each blade every full rotation of rotary cutters. Inthis way the release agent is applied to both sides of every blade on aregular interval, ensuring that a layer of release agent is alwayspresent on both sides of the blades.

The release agent delivery system may comprise at least one pair ofspray nozzles for directing a jet of release agent towards the rotarycutters, wherein each spray nozzle thereof is configured for applyingthe release agent onto the at least one blade of a different one of therotary cutters. The use of spray nozzles as the main release agentdelivery system allows for a targeted application of release agent ontothe blades. This minimizes the pollution of surfaces and objects notintended to be provided with a layer of release agent. Moreover, thespray nozzles may be positioned at some distance from the rotarycutters, thereby not interfering with the rotation of said cutters. Thepair of spray nozzles further allows each of the nozzles of said pair bedirected to one of the rotary cutters only, further improving on theprecision with which the release agent is applied to the blades. It ishereby preferred that the spray nozzles are positioned in closeproximity to the cutters such that the dispersion of release agent ontosurfaces not intended to be provided with release agent is minimized.

In a possible embodiment of the device according to the invention, therelease agent delivery system may comprise at least two pairs of spraynozzles, wherein the spray nozzles of different pairs are configured forapplying the release agent on a different one of the opposing sides ofthe blades. By allowing the spray nozzles to each target only one sideof the at least one blade of a single rotary cutter, the precision withwhich the release agent is applied to the blades can be improved evenfurther. By focusing a jet of release agent on one side of the at leastone blade of a single rotary cutter, it can moreover be ensured that theblades of the rotary cutters are provided with an even, consistent andsufficient amount of release agent. As an alternative solution however,the spray nozzles may be moveable between a first spraying position anda second spraying position, wherein in the first spraying position thespray nozzles are configured for applying the release agent on one ofthe opposing sides of the blades and in the second spraying position thespray nozzles are configured for applying the release agent on the otherone of the opposing sides of the blades. By allowing the spray nozzlesto move, for example by means of a tilting movement, only a single spraynozzle would be necessary to cover both sides of the same blade.

The spray nozzles of different pairs may configured for consecutivelyapplying the release agent onto the opposing sides of the at least oneblade of one of the rotary cutters. With said consecutive application ofthe release agent onto the opposing sides of the blade, the spraynozzles between pairs intermittently direct a jet of release agenttowards the blade, wherein said spray nozzles alternatingly apply therelease agent onto the opposing side of the blade. A benefit of thisintermittent spraying of release agent is that the spray nozzles may bepositioned such that the trajectory of the jets of release agent exitingthe different spray nozzles may cross without the jets of release agentactually interfering with each other. Such position of the spray nozzlesmay be necessary to cover the entire blade with release agent and/or letthe jet of release agent hit the blade under a preferred angle whileallowing the spray nozzles to be positioned within a limited spaceallocable for placement of the spray nozzles.

In order to ensure that the blades are in their entirety provided with alayer of release agent, the spray nozzles may be configured for applyingthe release agent along the entire width of blades, wherein the width ofthe blades is defined as the direction parallel to their rotary axis. Asa way of enabling the release agent delivery system to cover the entirewidth of the blades, the release agent delivery system may comprisemultiple pairs of spray nozzles, wherein said pairs are positioned inmutually spaced-apart locations along the width of the blades. Themultiple pairs of spray nozzles are hereby able to cover the blades ofboth rotary cutters in their entire width, wherein the different spraynozzles of each pair are hereby assigned to apply the release agent ontothe at least one blade of a different one of the rotary cutters. Allblades of the rotary cutters can thus be covered with this spray nozzlesetup, wherein the spray nozzles take a fixed position along the rotarycutters.

Alternatively, the spray nozzles may be moveable along the width of theblades. In this case, the entire width of blades of the rotary cuttersmay be covered with only a single pair of spray nozzles. To make acontrolled movement of the spray nozzles along the blades possible, thespray nozzles may be moveably connected to a guide that extends parallelto the width of the blades. This guide may be formed by a magneticallycoupled rodless pneumatic cylinder, which comprises a carrier onto whichone or more spray nozzles may be fitted. A magnetically coupled rodlesspneumatic cylinder typically has reduced dimensions compared to atraditional pneumatic cylinder. Moreover, as a magnetically coupledrodless pneumatic cylinder lacks a piston and no mechanical movementtakes place, this type of guide is very durable. It may also be possiblethat the release agent delivery system comprises multiple pairs of spraynozzles positioned in mutually spaced-apart locations along the width ofthe blades, while some or all of these spray nozzles are at the sametime moveable along the width of the blades. Multiple, moveable spraynozzles may hereby work together to cover the entire width of a blade.

In a specific embodiment of the device according to the invention, thespray nozzles are configured for generating a jet consisting of dropletsof release agent having a droplet size with a minimum volume mediandiameter of 250 microns. Although a fine atomization of the releaseagent results in a good distribution of release agent over the bladesurface, the fine release agent droplets due to their low mass also havethe tendency to disperse easily, thereby polluting surfaces not intendedto be provided with a layer of release agent. Through experimentation itis found that droplets with a minimum volume median diameter of 250microns do not disperse or only disperse to a limited extend, resultingin a jet that precisely targets the blade and the blade only, therebypreventing pollution of surrounding surfaces.

The spray nozzles of the release agent delivery system may each comprisea first fluid inlet connected to a feed of release agent and debouchinginto a first outlet orifice, and a second fluid inlet connected to afeed of pressurized air and debouching into a second outlet orifice,wherein the second outlet orifice at least partially surrounds the firstoutlet orifice and wherein the first and second outlet orificescooperate to generate a jet of atomized release agent. The atomizationof the release agent hereby takes place due to the interaction of thepressurized air leaving the second outlet orifice as a high velocity airstream with the release agent which is drawn out of the first outletorifice due to an underpressure created by the high velocity air stream.The mutual orientation of the first and second outlet orifices ispreferably chosen such that mixing and atomization of liquid takes placeoutside the nozzle. By regulating the air flow rate, the drop size ofthe atomized release agent can be controlled, wherein a reduction in airstream velocity leads to an increase in droplet size. It is found thatapplication of above type of spray nozzle leads to focused jet ofrelease agent that can be directed precisely onto the rotary cutterblades. Moreover, the above type of spray nozzle may be configured toproduce droplets with a volume median diameter of 250 microns and up.The feed of release agent may also be pressurized to aid in the supplyof release agent to the first outlet orifice. This is especially thecase when the stream of air exiting the second outlet orifice does nothave a high enough velocity to provide for the underpressure necessaryfor a sufficient amount of release agent to be drawn out of the firstoutlet orifice. The first outlet orifice may further be fitted with aclosing element, such as a needle, with which the outflow of releaseagent can be controlled further.

The receiving chamber may comprise at least one belt conveyor,comprising a conveyor belt forming a part of a side wall of thereceiving chamber. The conveyor belt hereby commonly extends in adirection of conveyance between the inlet opening and the dischargeopening of the receiving chamber. Due to the application of at least onebelt conveyor, the device according to the invention is able to activelycarry dough through the receiving chamber instead of having to rely ongravity alone. It herewith becomes possible to guide even the stickiestof dough types through the receiving chamber towards or away from thedischarge opening and the rotary cutters, dependent on the chosendirection of conveyance of the at least one conveyor belt. The receivingchamber may comprise two belt conveyors which may be positioned oppositefrom each other to form opposing parts of the inner side wall of thereceiving chamber. It is found that the use of two opposing beltconveyors leads to a reliable guidance of the dough mass through thereceiving chamber towards the discharge opening and the rotary cuttersplaced behind it.

In a common instance the at least one belt conveyor may at the dischargeopening be positioned adjacent to the pair of rotary cutters, wherein atleast one of the rotary cutters with its at least one blade scrapes oneof the at least one conveyor belt. In case the receiving chambercomprises two belt conveyors, each cutter is typically configured toscrape with its blades a different one of the conveyor belts of saidbelt conveyors. The scraping of the one or more conveyor belts willremove residual dough adhering to the conveyor belts, therebyeffectively reducing pollution of the conveyor belts.

As another way of reducing pollution of the at least one conveyor beltas well as aiding the transport of dough through the receiving chamber,the release agent delivery system may be configured for applying therelease agent onto the at least one conveyor belt. Namely, by providingthe at least one conveyor belt with a layer of release agent theadhering of the dough mass to the at least one conveyor belt is reducedor even entirely prevented. In a possible embodiment, the release agentdelivery system hereto comprises one or more spray nozzles that areconfigured to direct a jet of release agent onto a conveyor belt and arotary cutter simultaneously. Typically, the spray nozzle hereby directsits jet of release agent towards a bottom end of the conveyor beltadjacent to the rotary cutter.

It is especially advantageous if the device according to the inventioncombined with a device for guiding and supplying dough to a doughprocessing or transporting means as described in a parallel applicationwith the title “device for guiding and supplying dough to a doughprocessing or transporting means” filed on the same day as the presentapplication by the same applicant, which is hereby incorporated byreference. Namely, both applications relate to an invention thatprovides a solution for handling an adhesive dough mass within thecontext of a dough portioning operation using a chunker. Specifically,the design of the receiving chamber comprising the at least one conveyorbelt as well as at least two sealing strips that create a seal betweenthe conveyor belt and an adjoining stationary wall of the receivingchamber may form a valuable addition to a device for portioning a doughmass according to the present invention. In particular the sealingstrips as described in said parallel application make sure that no doughis able to end up between a side end of the conveyor belt and anadjoining stationary wall where it could further penetrate between thereceiving chamber wall parts and conveyor internals. The sealing stripsthus ensure that the dough remains contained inside the receivingchamber, considerably reducing consecutive cleaning operations which canbe limited to the receiving chamber internal wall.

The invention also relates to a release agent delivery system for use ina device according to the invention, the benefits of which system arealready explained in relation to the device for portioning a dough mass.

The invention further relates to a method for portioning a dough massusing a device for portioning a dough mass according to the invention,comprising the steps of: A) supplying a dough mass to the receivingchamber, B) guiding the dough mass to the pair of opposing rotarycutters, C) rotating the blades of the rotary cutters, thereby cuttingthe dough mass into separate portions, and D) applying a release agentto the blades, wherein during step D) the release agent is applied onopposing sides of each of the blades. As already mentioned before, theapplication of the release agent to both sides of the blades is found tobenefit a clean cut of the dough by the blades as well as a smooth andinstant separation of the cut dough piece from the blades. Moreover, thebuildup of pollution on the blades due to residual dough adhering to theblades is significantly reduced.

The above-described method steps are commonly performed concurrently aspart of a continuous process. In case the receiving chamber comprises atleast one belt conveyor, it is moreover advantageous if together withthe release agent being applied to opposing sides of each of the blades,the release agent is applied to the conveyor belt of the at least onebelt conveyor, thereby counteracting sticking of the dough mass to theconveyor belt.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view on a device 1 for portioning a doughmass according to the invention. The device 1 comprises a receivingchamber 2 that in this case is funnel-shaped and narrows in a downwarddirection. It is however likewise possible that the receiving chamber 2does not converge in a downward direction, but for example has sidewalls that run straight down. An inlet opening 3 is present at the topof the receiving chamber 2, through which inlet opening 3 dough issupplied to the receiving chamber 2. At the bottom of the receivingchamber 2 opposite to the inlet opening 3 a discharge opening 4 isprovided towards which the dough is guided. The receiving chamber 2 isdemarcated by two opposing belt conveyors 5, each comprising a conveyorbelt 6 that forms part of a side wall of the receiving chamber 2. Thebelt conveyors 5 are placed between two stationary walls 7 (one of whichis shown in FIG. 1) that form another part of the side wall of thereceiving chamber 2 thereby further demarcating the receiving chamber 2.A pair of opposing rotary cutters 8 is positioned at the dischargeopening 4, which cutters 8 each comprise three blades 9 that arerotatable around a rotary axis 10 and comprise a cutting edge 11. Theblades 9 of the different rotary cutters 8 hereby rotate in mutuallyopposite directions 12, 13. The rotary cutters 8 are moreover positionedin the vicinity of the conveyor belts 6 such that the cutters 8 with thecutting edge 11 of their blades 9 each scrape one of the conveyor belts6. The device 1 further comprises a release agent delivery system 14positioned in the vicinity of the rotary cutters 8. The release agentdelivery system 14 comprises two pairs of spray nozzles 15, 16, whichspray nozzles 15, 16 are configured for applying a release agent onopposing sides 17, 18 of each of the blades 9 of the rotary cutters 8.Each of the spray nozzles 15, 16 hereto produces a jet 19 of releaseagent that exits an outlet orifice 20 thereof and is directed towardsthe blades 9. The first pair of spray nozzles 15 hereby targets a rearside 17 of the blades 9, wherein the second pair of spray nozzles 16targets a front side 18 of the blades 9. The jets 19 of release agentexiting the first pair of spray nozzles 15 moreover target a bottom end21 of the conveyor belts 6 adjacent to the rotary cutters 8, wherein therelease agent is concurrently applied onto the conveyor belts 6.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view on the bottom of the device 1 forportioning a dough mass as shown in FIG. 1. In this Figure, one of theopposing belt conveyors 5 is again visible, as well as both rotarycutters 8. The release agent delivery system 14 comprises in thisembodiment of the device 1 two pairs of spray nozzles 15, 16, whereinthe spray nozzles of different pairs 15, 16 are configured for sprayingthe release agent on a different one of the opposing sides 17, 18 of theblades 9. The spray nozzles 15, 16 are per two spray nozzles (one ofeach pair) mounted onto a guide 22 along which they can move along thewidth 23 of the blades 9. This enables the spray nozzles 15, 16 to coverthe entire width 23 of the blades 9 with a layer of release agent.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a release agent deliverysystem 30 according to the invention and its position relative to arotary cutter 31 and a conveyor belt 32 as comprised in a device forportioning a dough mass according to the invention. In the Figure, across-section of two spray nozzles 33, 34 is shown, which two spraynozzles 33, 34 typically form only a part of the release agent deliverysystem 30. The spray nozzles 33, 34 each comprise a first fluid inlet 35connected to a feed 36 of release agent and debouching into a firstoutlet orifice 37, and a second fluid inlet 38 connected to a feed 39 ofpressurized air and debouching into a second outlet orifice 40. Thefirst and second outlet orifices 37, 40 cooperate to generate a jet 41of atomized release agent, wherein a stream of air exiting the secondoutlet orifice 40 takes along the release agent exiting the first outletorifice 37, which first outlet orifice 37 is surrounded by the secondoutlet orifice 40. In the shown embodiment of the spray nozzles 33, 34,the first and second outlet orifices 37, 40 debouch in an area in frontof and external to the nozzle 33, 34, wherein the mixing of the releaseagent with the air and therewith the atomization of the release agenttakes place outside the nozzle 33, 34. With the atomization of therelease agent a jet 41 of release agent is produced exiting each of thespray nozzles 33, 34. These two jets 41 together cover both the frontside 42 and rear side 43 of the blades 44 of the rotary cutter 31 as theblades 44 rotate around their rotary axis 45. One of the spray nozzles33 is further configured to cover part of the conveyor belt 32 at abottom end 46 of the conveyor belt 32 adjacent to the rotary cutter 31.The surface of the conveyor belt 32 is herewith constantly provided withlayer of release agent, which is reapplied every revolution of theconveyor belt 32.

1. A device for portioning a dough mass, comprising: a receiving chamberfor holding said dough mass comprising a discharge opening, a pair ofopposing rotary cutters provided at the discharge opening and arrangedfor rotation in mutually opposite directions, wherein each cuttercomprises at least one blade rotatable around a rotary axis, which bladecooperates with the blade of the other cutter for cutting the dough massinto separate portions, and a release agent delivery system for applyinga release agent onto the blades of the rotary cutters, wherein therelease agent delivery system is configured for applying the releaseagent on opposing sides of each of the blades.
 2. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein the release agent delivery system is configured forapplying the release agent on opposing sides of each blade every fullrotation of rotary cutters.
 3. The device according to claim 1, whereinthe release agent delivery system comprises at least one pair of spraynozzles for directing a jet of release agent towards the rotary cutters,wherein each spray nozzle thereof is configured for applying the releaseagent onto the at least one blade of a different one of the rotarycutters.
 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the release agentdelivery system comprises at least two pairs of spray nozzles, whereinthe spray nozzles of different pairs are configured for applying therelease agent on a different one of the opposing sides of the blades. 5.The device according to claim 4, wherein the spray nozzles of differentpairs are configured for consecutively applying the release agent ontothe opposing sides of the at least one blade of one of the rotarycutters.
 6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the spray nozzlesare configured for applying the release agent along the entire width ofblades, wherein the width of the blades is defined as the directionparallel to their rotary axis.
 7. The device according to claim 6,wherein the release agent delivery system comprises multiple pairs ofspray nozzles, wherein said pairs are positioned in mutuallyspaced-apart locations along the width of the blades.
 8. The deviceaccording to claim 6, wherein the spray nozzles are moveable along thewidth of the blades.
 9. The device according to claim 3, wherein thespray nozzles are configured for generating a jet consisting of dropletsof release agent having a droplet size with a minimum volume mediandiameter of 250 microns.
 10. The device according to claim 3, whereinthe spray nozzles each comprise: a first fluid inlet connected to a feedof release agent and debouching into a first outlet orifice, and asecond fluid inlet connected to a feed of pressurized air and debouchinginto a second outlet orifice, wherein the second outlet orifice at leastpartially surrounds the first outlet orifice and wherein the first andsecond outlet orifices cooperate to generate a jet of atomized releaseagent.
 11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the receivingchamber comprises at least one belt conveyor, comprising a conveyor beltforming a part of a side wall of the receiving chamber.
 12. The deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein the at least one belt conveyor is at thedischarge opening positioned adjacent to the pair of rotary cutters,wherein at least one of the rotary cutters with its at least one bladescrapes one of the at least one conveyor belt.
 13. The device accordingto claim 11, wherein the release agent delivery system is configured forapplying the release agent onto the at least one conveyor belt.
 14. Arelease agent delivery system for use in a device according to claim 1.15. A method for portioning a dough mass using a device for portioning adough mass according to claim 1, comprising: A) supplying a dough massto the receiving chamber, B) guiding the dough mass to the pair ofopposing rotary cutters, C) rotating the blades of the rotary cutters,thereby cutting the dough mass into separate portions, and D) applying arelease agent to the blades, wherein during step D) the release agent isapplied on opposing sides of each of the blades.